Franchise News: IFA Summit, Giving Back, Menu Updates

Wayback Joins Multi-Brand Group; Golden Corral, Taco Bueno and Others Make Big Moves

The International Franchise Association has opened registration for its annual Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C. The event is a series of meetings between franchising leaders and U.S. representatives, senators and other federal officials Sept. 15-17 at the Hilton Washington, D.C. / National Mall The Wharf.

The IFA encourages its members – especially brand executives and multi-unit franchisees – to attend. They’ll be able to engage in discussions with national lawmakers, their aides and regulatory officials about current policies and pending rules and laws that affect the business model. Summit participants also can express their views on legislation and regulatory changes, pushing in favor of pro-business policies and against harmful ones. 

For more details about the 2025 IFA Advocacy Summit and to register, visit the IFA’s webpage.

Multi-Brand Franchisor Will Fold in Wayback Burgers 

In major franchise news, Wayback Burger’s franchising company announced Thursday July 31 that it’s morphing into a multi-brand operation with shared infrastructure, according to Restaurant Business. It’s a complex move for 180-unit Wayback and its emerging sister brands, CEO and owner John Eucalitto said. He started by changing the name of Wayback’s original franchising company, Jake’s Franchising LLC, to Wayback Franchising. The old name was a throwback to Wayback’s origins as Jake’s Hamburgers, but now all references to Jake are gone.

In another move, Eucalitto established the franchising platform Hubspoke Brands, which contains six other brands and (eventually) Wayback Burger, Restaurant Business reported. Key among the six brands is Hubspoke Kitchen, which will aid development of subsequent brands. A Hubspoke Kitchen in Connecticut has been operating for two years, and seems like a cross between a ghost kitchen and food court, plus a small retail market. Hubspoke Kitchen prepares food for five additional Hubspoke Brands restaurants, each with separate menus.  

Those restaurants are Citta Pasta, Italian comfort food; Molte Pizza; Pane & Mozz focaccia sandwiches; taco-and-bowl Taculto; and Uncle Willie’s Smokehouse, slow-cooked barbecue. All of these brands, including HubSpoke Kitchen as a standalone brand, are available for franchising. Co-branding is allowed; the first co-branded Wayback Burgers-Molte Pizza will open in New Jersey, and two more are planned for Connecticut.  

Planet Fitness Franchisees Donate $100,000 for Flood Aid

Led by Excel Fitness, a Texas-based Planet Fitness franchise group with 80 locations, a large group of Planet Fitness franchisees pooled donations totaling $100,000 to help families that suffered because of July floods in Texas’ Hill Country region, AthletechNews.com reported on Tuesday, July 29. The floods killed more than 130 people. 

CJ Bouchard, Excel Fitness CEO, said, “The devastation in the Texas Hill Country has deeply affected our teams in the area and the communities we serve. We believe it’s our responsibility to stand together and take action. … We remain committed to helping the region heal and rebuild.” 

Along with Excel Fitness, AthletechNews.com said franchisees giving $500 per club include Black Duck Partners; The Maddox Group; Planet Fitness of El Paso, Texas, and Las Cruces, N.M.; Houston Fitness Partners; Taymax Group; and United Fitness Partners. Their contributions will support the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country’s Kerr County Flood Relief Fund, which provides emergency financial relief, mental health services and long-term recovery assistance in affected counties.

Taco Bueno Gives Back, Too

Taco Bueno’s new Tacos with a Purpose Program has contributed $487,000 to charities that assist victims of domestic violence. The franchise, with units in Texas and Oklahoma, closed out the program’s first year in July. 

Launched in summer 2024, Tacos with a Purpose encourages customers to round up their purchase total to the nearest dollar, and the overage will go to the charities. On Thursday July 31, the brand matched customers’ donations to boost the total. 

Robert Sanders, vice president of Taco Bueno, said his company believes “in the incredible impact of compassion in action. Together, we’re making a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by domestic violence, and this is just the beginning.”

Franchise News Nuggets from Golden Corral

In 2023 Golden Corral launched Homeward Kitchen, a quick-service restaurant spinoff that features a pickup area and drive-thru, plus a downsized dining space. Customers liked the Southern Pines, N.C., concept but didn’t realize it was part of Golden Corral. So now the brand has renamed it Golden Corral Favorites, according to Franchise Times, and will open a second location later this year in Virginia.

Jason Kornosky, Golden Corral’s vice president of operations, told Franchise Times that the initial North Carolina location revealed that the brand needed an improved digital experience for customers, so it has a new tech partner, Flybuy. The integrated Flybuy system is more intuitive – easier and faster – for the staff to use and pushes orders to the kitchen based on the customer’s location, Franchise Times reported. 

In further news from Golden Corral, the franchise again offers all-you-can-eat wings in either bone-in or a new boneless option, RestaurantNews.com reported last week July 29. The wings and three dipping sauces are available after 4 p.m. weekdays at participating locations; the weekend schedule will vary by location.

Restaurant News: New Menu Launches Across Major Brands

Several restaurant brands made franchise news with limited-time offerings and returning favorites:

• Whatburger debuted the Dr Pepper Blackberry Shake today. The beverage contains swirls of Dr Pepper and blackberry flavors in a vanilla shake.
• Huddle House has brought back its Hashbrown Casseroles, per RestaurantNews.com. Guests may choose from three types: sausage and bacon, fried chicken, and a combo with sautéed onions, green peppers, ham and tomatoes. Casseroles also may be side-sized for just $3.49.
• Taco Bells nationwide now offer Dulce de Leche Cinnabon Delights, which feature sweet caramelized milk inside a warm doughnut hole and topped with a salted caramel coating, according to QSR Magazine.
• The Betr Burger has returned to Dog Haus, Restaurant News reported. Served on a King’s Hawaiian roll, the burger has an Angus beef patty dusted with Dog Haus’ Nashville Hot rub, bacon onion jam, white American cheese, pickles, lettuce, miso ranch dressing and a tangy sauce.